Not Yet Incorporated

[Becky Watkins]

We're just getting started and already found a property we like and can purchase. We probably won't have a problem finding a buyer, but the problem is we aren't incorporated yet. Our method on this was to seller-finance, but we ultimately want to have it under the corporate name. Are there any complications with buying the property as an individual, then selling it to the corporation. That time frame would give the current tenant the time to move out and our corporation the time to set up.

But then we would get double-taxed, wouldn't we? But we would sell it to the corporation for exactly for what we bought it, so there wouldn't be any profit. Thoughts and/or suggestions? This is a good deal we don't want to miss out on, but don't want to set us up in a worse position. Thanks for any help in advance!

[J Scott]

In theory, there is nothing complicated about this transaction (and it would work the way you stated -- the company would purchase the property from you at market value, which would be the purchase price assuming it was shortly after purchase).

That said, it sounds like you have some gaps in your knowledge about corporations (based on your comment about taxation), so I would highly recommend talking to a qualified CPA and/or business attorney.